Magic Johnson visits the White House

2/7/13 8:00 PM EST

Retired basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson met with President Obama Thursday, a White House official confirms to POLITICO.

The former Los Angeles Laker visited the White House and spoke briefly to the president about the impacts of HIV and AIDS on the African American community, the official said.

Johnson announced in 1991 that he had contracted HIV. An organization he started, the Magic Johnson Foundation, helps raise awareness about HIV and AIDS, among other purposes.

Thursday was National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and one of Obama's top aides, Valerie Jarrett, tweeted that she was participating in a discussion on the topic with Russell Simmons. CNN first reported about Magic Johnson's visit to the White House.